Life-saving device.



E., KREID.

LIFE SAVING DEVICE.

APPLlcAnoN man MAY 22. 1916.

1 ,203,63 1 Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

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LIFE-SAVNG DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N ov. Y?, 1916.

Application filed May 22, 1916. Serial No. 99,070.

T all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, EDWARD Kimm, a sub-v ject of the Emperor of Austria-flungary, residing at Detroit, in the county of lVayne and State of Michigan, have invented Acertain new and useful Improvements in Life- Saving Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a life saving device, and the primary object of my invention is to provide a pneumatic float or buoy and certain accessories for the same which Awill permit of a person remaining afloat a considerable time, with the necessities of maintaining life and propelling or guiding the device in a direction to be rescued.

Another object of my invention is to pro- 'y vide a' collapsible float or buoy having a foldable frame, which when extended, .cooperates with an inflated member iu forming a raft capable of holding a number of persons and in such form the float or buoy can be advantageously used as a life saving device for vessels in time of accident.

A further object of my invention is to provide a life saving device wherein the parts are constructed to withstand the rough usage to which they are subjected, when in use, and my invention further resides in the simplicity of construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein# Figure 1 is a plan of a life saving device in accordance with my invention; Fig.

2 is a side elevation of the same, partly broken away and partly in section; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the containers of the life saving device, and Fig. 4 is a plan of a portion of a body cover.

rThe life saving device comprises two hinged or foldable frames having longitudinal rails 1 hinged or pivotally connected, as at 2, and at the ends of said rails are curved portions 3 adapted to form the ends of the device. intermediate the ends of the rails 1 are semi-circular portions 4 adapted to cooperate in forming a body well, and these semi-circular portions are connected by angularly disposed arms 5to the curved end portions 3. The angularly disposed arms 5 support container rings 6 and suscontainer pended from said rings are fieXible containers 7 having rigid or solid bottom pieces 8. The containers 7 are four in number and to retain said containers in extended positions relative to the rings 6, each ring has pivoted bars 9 of less length than the container and these bars are adapted to engage catches 10 on the rigid bottom piece 8 and hold the container against accidental collapse.

Each container ring 6 provides a seat for a gasket 11 and hinged to each ring is a lid 12 adapted to be held in a closed position by thumb screws 13 or similar fastening means. rI he lid 12 can beheld in a ciosed position to avoid leakage into the container, and each lid has an oar lock 14, which permits of -oars being fulcrumed for use in propelling the device.

rihe semi-circular portions 4 of the rails'l support a flexible body container 15 having leg portions 16 and at the upper end of the 15 is a contractible cover 17 adapted to snugly embrace the body around the waist. or under the arm pits and seal the lower portion of the body against the action of water. The cover 17 can be formed with a case 18 containing a coiled retractile spring 19 adapted to hold the case 18 in snug engagement with the body and prevent the entrance of water into the container 15 and the leg portions 16 thereof.

The foldable'frames are covered by a flexible receptacle 20 adapted to contain air, which may be forced therein through the medium of a tube 21 having a mouth piece 22 and a check valve 23, the inflating tube being located adjacent to the body container 15. The material used in connection with the receptacle 20 and the containers 7 and 15 is impervious to waterand capable of withstanding the action of waves.

Cooperating with the foldable frames is a tubular rim member 24 in communication with the receptacle 20 and adapted to be simultaneously inflated. This' rim member serves functionally as a gunwale and as openings 25 whereby water will drain from the top of the receptacle 20.

At one end of the device there is a fold able and telescopic mast 26 for a signal 27 and an electric lamp 28, the latter being supplied from batteries 29 controlled by buttons or switches 30 adjacent the body container 15.

The top of the device, adjacent the body container 15, has a paddle or rudder member 31 loosely connected thereto, and this paddle or rudder member may be used by the occupant of the container l5 to guide or steer the life saving device when it is impossible to use oars.

From, the foregoing it will be observed that with the receptacle 20 defiated, the frames can be folded and the device occupy a comparatively small space upon a vessel. An individual in time of danger or an accident can easily and quickly inflate the receptacle 2O and throw the device overboard, to later enter the container l5 and guide or steer the device, as a raft, to rescue others. It is apparent that food and other matter can be placed inthe container 7 to sustain life while the device is in use, and while in the drawing there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that the structural elements are susceptible to such changes as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

l/Vhat I claim is 1. A life saving device comprising connected foldable frames having semi-cir-v cular portions providing a body well, rings adjacent said semi-circular portions, flexible containers suspended from the rings of said frames, means in said flexible containers adapted to retain said containers in an V extended position, a body container suspended from the semi-circular portions of said frames, a receptacle carried by said frames and adapted to be inflated, and means for closing all of said containers.

2. A life saving device comprising connected frames adapted to fold one upon the other, container rings carried by each frame, flexible containers carried by said 40 rings, lids carried by said rings for said containers, pivoted bars in said flexible containers adapted to retain said containers in extended positions, a body container carried by said frame, and a receptacle supported 4' by said frames and adapted to be inflated to maintain said frames afloat.

3. A life raft comprising a receptacle Yadapted to be inflated, frames in said receptacle, flexible containers suspended from said frames, lids for said containers, pivoted bars in said containers adapted to retain said containers in extended positions, and a body containercentrally of said receptacle. l" l In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD KREID.

Witnesses ANNA M. DoRR, CHAS. W. STAUFFIGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. C. 

